Purified
water is healthy on its own, but sometimes it’s not enough to entice you enough
to get your daily recommended amount. There’s good news, though. Just like your
favorite recipes, water can be easily spiced up with a few tasty ingredients so
that you want to drink more. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a simple
way to enhance your bottled water or want to add a tasty punch to the H2O in
your water cooler—these yummy additives are a great
choice.

But,
before we get started, make sure that you’re working with a good base. If you
don’t have healthy, purified water to start, then you won’t get the best
flavor. Make sure to regularly swap out your water filters to ensure that your agua is free
of contaminants that can make water taste and smell foul, and to keep it totally healthy and free of
chemicals. Here are a few great ingredients you can add to your water to
encourage better health and hydration:

1.Honey — Adding a single tablespoon of
organic, raw honey to every 8-ounce cup of water you drink is a great way to
boost flavor and sweetness while also improving your overall health. Some
people swear by the concoction as a natural cure for a cold—it’s especially useful for
soothing a dry, itchy, or achy throat when added to hot water—but honey is also
a natural anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral agent. That means that you
can use it daily to boost the immune system and keep you feeling energized. Add
ginger or lemon for a little bit of extra flavor.

2.Lemon — Water with lemon is not only
super-tasty and refreshing, especially in the summertime, but it’s also really
good for you. Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which
can help boost the immune system and protect the body from damaging free
radicals that can cause cancer. All of this is one of the reasons the Master
Cleanse Diet—a weight loss detox using maple syrup, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper—was
once one of the most popular fad diets around.

3.Sea Salt — Okay. We know this sounds a bit
strange at the outset, but adding a little bit of Himalayan sea salt to your
water can boost its mineral content for a healthier drink. A pinch of sea salt
can give your water a little bit of a flavorful kick while quickly pumping your
body with vitamins that help keep you healthy for longer. Interestingly,
although it sounds counterintuitive, adding sea salt to your drinking water may
also help improve hydration.

4.Cucumber — The light, refreshing and subtle
flavor of cucumber makes it a great choice for adding to your H2O for a
big-time kick. Plus, adding fresh cucumber slices to purified water can boost
your skin—there’s a reason why they give you cucumber slices for the eyes at
the spa, after all—while promoting hydration and weight loss. Cucumbers also
contain antioxidants, vitamin C, beta-carotene,
manganese, and other health and beauty boosters.

5.Mint — Treating yourself to an
extra-virgin mojito, also known as mint water, is a great way to encourage
hydration, a healthy weight, and your overall
well-being. The reason? The tasty flavor of mint encourages you to drink more
water instead of soda and other sugary drinks. Plus, mint aids in digestion and
is used as a natural antiseptic and antipruritic agent, which can help keep
your tummy happy and your immune system functioning properly. Add a few sprigs
of fresh mint—straight from the garden, preferably—to your next glass of
purified water to get all these great benefits.

6.Orange — Just like lemons, oranges are
super-rich in essential vitamins (especially vitamin C) that keep your body
healthy and happy. What’s more, the tangy and fruity flavor of fresh orange
slices makes even dull water super-tasty, especially in the summer. Oranges are
also a good water additive for people with a sweet tooth who are trying to curb
sugar consumption. The extra dose of vitamins A, B, and C plus calcium, potassium, and fiber don’t hurt matters, either! For the best results, fill a pitcher
with purified water and ice and top with fresh orange slices. Let it sit in the
fridge for at least an hour … and enjoy!